How To Start.....

[Jos123]

I have begun with a horrible knife and a bar of soap....and have tried to practice widdling something together.Turned out to be some type of bird or something.I was wondering though,what is good practice to start out with whittling? What wood and what type of projects? Any help would be appreciated.I hope everyone has a blessed sunday

[papasar]

I would suggest the beginners kit from the following -

Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers

Has all you need to get started including wood and patterns.
Bill K.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

My first carving was a snowman in Basswood, easy project, good wood to carve. www.littleshavers.com also has a beginners kit. One mistake I made in the beginning was buying cheap tools, if I were starting out now I would start with www.drakeknives.com, excellent quality and very fair prices. Just my opinion, hope the info. helps.

Dave

[Jos123]

I think my main problem is trying to find wood to carve firstly.An elderly friend of mine used to walk in the woods and find good peices of wood but I guess i don't have a keen eye for wood that can be worked with.

[Claude]

If you tell us a rough area of where you live (see how I list mine over on the right), it would help us help you find some wood. A really good wood to carve is basswood - most of us use this. Other woods are either harder, or have difficult to carve growth rings (pine). My recommendation is also for the Little Shavers beginners set, as it comes with a carving glove, sharpening strop, some decent gouges, and a sharp knife. You can buy basswood at Michaels craft store, Rockler, Woodcraft, and some lumber yards. I buy mine from Heinecke Wood Products It's premium quality wood, and a great price.

Claude

[Chahlie]

Hi Jos123,

I can only echo the suggestion to get the beginners kit from Little Shavers Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply. You get a carving glove that is sized for your hand and some very good knives and gouges plus a strop board and stropping compound.

Rick at littleshavers.com also has several tutorials on his web site...all levels of skill!

I can't urge you to always use a carving glove...it may seem like a hassel at first but it can save you a trip to the ER...and nobody likes red stains on their finished work anyway.

Glad to have you join us here...I am just back after a long unintentional absense.

Chahlie

[Jos123]

This little shavers kit is spoken so highly of.I guess it would be a good investment for 55$.I think i'll go ahead and purchase it soon.


Also I'm located in the Northern Part of Georgia if that helps.

[hwallen48]

First you need a good sharp knife , then a piece of bass wood , now make the end of the wood round, get the feel of the knife and practice the different cuts!

[Hooked on Carving]

Welcome to the forum! The knife may just be a little dull and may need to be honed. You can use a piece of leather(back of a belt will work if it's real leather) and some honing compound. You can sharpen it with a stone, Home Depot, Lowes have one for around $7 which is 600/1000 on each side. After going over the stone about 10 times on each side strop the blade on leather with compound to remove the bur(fine rough metal). There is plenty of info on sharpening lying around the forum or ask some questions and everyone will gladly help you out! The kit is good that you want because you'll get the glove and gouges, knife and hone. I highly recommend protecting yourself! If you get the kit practice your sharpening skills with the old knife. Have fun!

[Jos123]

Thanks everyone.The birthday is coming up on the 30th so I hope to get this as a gift and summer is coming up too so I'll have like 2 1/2 months to practice a new skill.Also planning on purchasing some books to increase the knowledge a bit and I have noticed everyone's stress on learning how to sharpen so I'll focus on this skill as I dive into carpentry/whittling.I appreciate everyone's help.